Dance It Off: Abs Workout Video

Pilates offers a great abdominal exercise for a flat belly—and it’s more effective than the standard crunch. With Dance It Off: Abs, you’ll learn five great abs shapers from Prevention’s expert trainer Chris Freytag. Follow along with this 3-minute video for a Pilates abdominal exercise that works all the muscles in your torso and back.

Lie down on your mat and begin the routine with a full-body roll-up. Point your arms up to the sky and slowly roll your torso up, stretching all the way down to your feet. Inhale as you roll your torso back down, and exhale as you slowly touch your spine to the ground. Repeat this move 6 to 10 times. Next, try the double leg stretch, a great move to work your entire midsection and help you get a flat belly. Bring your knees in, and then extend your legs in one smooth motion. Continue this Pilates abdominal exercise with another move, bringing each elbow to the opposite knee four to six times. For the swimming move, lie facedown on your mat and lift your arms and legs slightly off the ground and start to flutter. Keep moving in this position for 20 seconds.

Finally, try the teaser move. Lie on your back and raise your knees so your calves are parallel to the floor. Inhale as you point your arms to the sky, and exhale as you roll your torso toward your knees. Inhale as you lengthen your spine, and exhale as you roll back down one vertebra at a time to your mat. Follow along with this Pilates ab workout sequence once through three times a week for a flat belly and tight midsection. As part of the Dance It Off series, this workout can show you how to dance away the pounds, shake out stress, and boogie along to some fun dance moves.